We Found Heaven at Smart Financial Centre with Conan Gray

Conan Gray returned to his home state as part of his Found Heaven tour, and of course he had to stop in Sugar Land. His latest album Found Heaven is the perfect mix of 80’s inspired pop hits, including rock ballads, and synth galore.

To kick off the evening, Maisie Peters opened up for Conan and she was a delight. Maisie spoke to the audience of how she and Conan have been longtime friends and was honored to be touring alongside him. She sang her staple songs, which include “Villain,” “There It Goes”, “History of Man”, “Lost the Breakup” and even treated the audience to a lovely cover of “Holding Out for a Hero.” The crowd welcomed Maisie, so much so that she joked she had to move to Sugar Land for all the love she was getting and asked who was in search of a roommate! “I’m kinda busy like, i’m in Sugar Land tonight!” she shouted while singing “Lost the Breakup.” Maisie was exactly what the audience needed to get fired up for Conan.

When the show began, a curtain could be seen with the Found Heaven logo on it, falling and revealing Conan himself, decked out in an 80s-inspired outfit. His leather pants and vest were covered in red, yellow and blue with lyrics from the album and artwork as well. He kicked things off with “Fainted Love,” immediately bringing the energy running across the stage. He then transitioned into “Never Ending Song”, continuing the 80s inspired hits. While this is the Found Heaven tour, Conan made sure to perform fan favorites from previous albums including “Wish You Were Sober,” “The Exit,” “Family Line,” “Heather” and “Memories.” Fans all around the venue could be seen shouting and some even crying to his more emotional songs, a cathartic release to be sure. Conan expressed that he’d had a very rough childhood, which can be reflected in many of the lyrics of his songs, and how he’d never imagined it would get so much better and he would be on stage living his dreams. He even surprised the fans with a brand new song “Holidays.” He explained how the song was about him wanting to leave his hometown all the time, but as soon as he left he would miss everyone back home and everything about it. It was a beautiful song that captured the bittersweet feelings of leaving and returning home, and of time passing in general.

Conan dove back into his 80s style songs during the second half of the show, performing songs that had the fans jumping, from “Boys and Girls” to “Lonely Dancers.” For songs like “Winner” and “Bouergeoisieses” he rose from a platform so everyone in the audience could see him. His encore shirt read “Blah Blah Blah Blah Jesus” as part of his running bit where he comes out in a tank that display silly attempts at spelling “Bouergeoisieses.” He of course sang one of his most popular songs “Maniac,” and ended the night on a bittersweet moment performing ballad “Alley Rose.” He told the fans, “Have a wonderful rest of your year but make me one promise okay? The next time I come to Sugar Land, don’t leave me hanging!” During the bridge of the song confetti in the shape of the Found Heaven logo flew everywhere, fans cheering and crying because this wonderful night was coming to a close. Sugar Land was one of the last stops in the US leg of the tour, but you can still always check out Found Heaven the album to prepare for the next time Conan visits Texas, you won’t want to miss it.